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Scottish champions Celtic visit Iceland s KR on Tuesday as qualifying for the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League gathers pace.

The 1967 European Cup winners made it to the group stages after thumping Cliftonville 5-0 over two legs in the second qualifying round last year, but begin the new campaign with a different coach at the helm.

Ronny Deila is the man charged with filling the boots of former Celtic Park boss Neil Lennon, who won five Scottish titles as a player before guiding the club to three consecutive crowns in the past three seasons.

And Deila will be keen to make a winning start in Iceland this week, with the second leg set to take place at Murrayfield as Celtic s Glasgow home plays host to the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Deila s former clu…

Market: Athletic Bilbao win

Odds: 8/11 @

Looking to extend on their Champions League charge this weekend, Athletic Bilbao will travel to a struggling Granada on Sunday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, although Granada might have punched a La Liga return for this season, Alexander Medina’s men have failed to find any kind of stability this time around. Already battling it out at the foot of the table and tipped as a leading contender to be hit with an immediate Segunda return in 2024, the Nasrids have continued to show some rather glaring issues on either side of November’s international break. Last seen getting hit with a routine 2-0 defeat at the hands of Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid, Granada should be bracing themselves for another stern test here. …

James Milner netted a late penalty as Liverpool came from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1 and pose further questions over Francesco Guidolin s future at the Liberty Stadium.

Leroy Fer s fourth Premier League goal of the season put the Swans, whose last home win came against Liverpool in May, ahead in the eighth minute.

Liverpool lost Adam Lallana to a groin injury during a first half in which they failed to register a shot on target, a far cry from the 5-1 win over Hull City last time out.

But Jurgen Klopp s side quickly addressed that in the second half, as Roberto Firmino headed them level.

And Guidolin, who has not tasted victory in the league since the opening-day win over Burnley, was left empty-handed again when shambolic …

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor is really happy to see Joe Kinnear back at the club in a director of football role.

Kinnear was manager at Newcastle for a chunk of the 2008-09 campaign before he suffered a heart attack and the club went on to be relegated from the Premier League that season.

The former Wimbledon boss was confirmed in his new position on Tuesday but has come under fire after insulting Newcastle fans and mispronouncing the names of several players in a bizarre radio interview on Monday.

But Taylor revealed that he enjoyed playing under Kinnear and believes his arrival will provide a boost for the St James Park outfit.

I am really happy to see Joe back at the club and I think his return can only be positive for everyone connected to the club…

Dani Ceballos insists he has not given up on his Real Madrid dream despite being sent out on loan to Arsenal this season.

Spain international Ceballos joined Madrid in 2017 after emerging as one of LaLiga s most promising talents at Real Betis, but he struggled to secure regular football under Zinedine Zidane.

After Zidane s departure, Ceballos began to play more regularly for Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari, but that did not continue when the Frenchman returned in March.

He was allowed to leave for Arsenal on loan and has shown flashes of his ability in London, with Gunners fans quickly taking to the playmaker.

Though it seems they should not get used to his presence, as he still sees his long-term future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

When I don…

Samuel Eto o was presented to Sampdoria fans on Sunday as he prepares to officially complete his move from Everton.

Samuel Eto o was presented to Sampdoria s fans on Sunday, with his move back to Serie A on the brink of being officially finalised.

Veteran striker Eto o, 33, was paraded on the pitch by club president Massimo Ferrero alongside fellow new recruit Luis Muriel following the 1-1 draw with Palermo.

The Cameroonian had earlier taken his place in the stands to watch his new side, who were pegged back after Eder s sixth-minute opener.

Eto o also posted a picture of himself wearing a Sampdoria training top on Twitter on Sunday morning, adding the message: Successful medical. Thank you Dr Parfait Ondo. Ready for a new challenge!!!

Th…

Willy Caballero was the hero as Manchester City claimed the first major silverware of the season by beating Liverpool 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes of the League Cup final at Wembley.

Liverpool had won all five of their previous cup finals that had gone to a shoot-out, but the City goalkeeper – playing in place of Joe Hart in domestic cup competitions this term – saved from Lucas Leiva, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana to allow Yaya Toure to net the winning spot-kick.

In the match itself, Sergio Aguero had forced Simon Mignolet to tip his shot onto the post, but the Liverpool goalkeeper should have kept out Fernandinho s strike from a tight angle early in the second half.

City squandered a number of chances to win it in 90 minutes and…

Barcelona snatched a late equaliser as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano.

Florian Lejeune’s late own goal rescued a point for Xavi’s side but their slip-up opened the door for Real Madrid and surprise leaders Girona to extend their advantage in the title race.

Vallecano made most of the running in the first period and got their reward with a stunning Unai Lopez volley in the 39th minute.

Barcelona went in search of an equaliser in the second period as chances from Pedri, Ferran Torres and Joao Cancelo all went begging but Lejeune’s 82nd-minute own goal gave the Catalan giants a reprieve.

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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)

Vallecano made a bright start and had the first chance of the game but Isi Palazon’s eff…

Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Raphael Onyedika from Club Brugge in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Forest are among a number of clubs who are keen on Onyedika, and that Belgian side Brugge could sell him.

Onyedika has been on the books of Club Brugge since the summer of 2022 when he joined from Midtjylland. The Nigeria international midfielder has been superb for the Belgian side and has established himself as one of the best and most important players in the team. The 22-year-old has made 17 starts and two substitute appearances in the Jupiler Pro League this season.

Club Brugge are third in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League table at the moment with 45 points from 27 matches, as many as 20 points behind leaders Royale U…

Thomas Tuchel delivered some home truths to his Chelsea players in a private meeting as he got frustrations off his chest after brutal defeats to Brentford and Real Madrid.

The Chelsea boss revealed the gathering, which took place on Thursday, was not one where he encouraged the players to play any part other than listening to his point of view.

Such sessions often offer a forum for debate, but this time Tuchel aired his disappointment, pointed out where the team were going wrong, and said the players would have his support as they attempt to get back on track.

It was not a discussion-type of a meeting yesterday. It was more like i gave my point of view, Tuchel told a news conference on Friday. That s sometimes also necessary.

We take the players view…